The hangtimes PT-19 is an awesome plane but I have been offered a DynaFlite. Price-wise the DynaFlite is more afordable.

Since this is my first scale-build and my first war-plane maybe the DynaFlite be a better option. After all I'm not going to enter a Scale Competition with my first war-bird. Specially since my flying skills are at a trainer level at this point.

I had a DF PT-19 for a few years with a Saito 150 which was my first large plane and it was a piece of cake to fly. 150 is more than enough power. Take off and scale flight was usually 1/2 power. Figured it was time to get rid of it when I started doing 4 foot high inverted fly by's. Got me a 1/4 scale Pitts! BTW, there is a lot of building in that kit. DF did not do much work for you but if you like to build you will enjoy it.

Just spend a few $$ for the Fibergalss Specialties cowl. It's one piece & a nice item. It fits like a glove..

BTW: When you set up the throws for the rudder keep them to the minimum recommended throws.

The BIG rudder has a LOT of authority! I had mine set-up W/a lot of throw & it acted like an airbrake!

Thanks for the advice. I'm collecting a lot of notes on this model. I have to understand this will never be a "true-scale" model but a "fun-scale" or "sport-scale" but things like the cowl are things that need to be improved and I will

I was finally able to "secure" a Dynaflite PT-19 kit... yay!
after the kit arrives lots of work to do before the build starts
need to figure out what we will "per-kit" and what modifications we will make... flaps mandatory... better landing gear mandatory... cowl mandatory ... etc... etc...

I was finally able to "secure" a Dynaflite PT-19 kit... yay!
after the kit arrives lots of work to do before the build starts
need to figure out what we will "per-kit" and what modifications we will make... flaps mandatory... better landing gear mandatory... cowl mandatory ... etc... etc...

Robart used to make a "Robostrut" oleo strut that slipped over the 1/4" music wire gear of the DF PT-19. They then secured W/set screws.

I don't think they are available anymore but the gear for the Aviation concepts PT-19 looks very similar except that the AC gear clamps in a mount. I'm sure my Robart gear would work on the AC PT-19, maybe vica versa?

The maingear mount deficency is easy to fix while in construction just glue in a birch plywood doubler & some heavier blocking. The design of the gear is good otherwise. There is a long horizontal section between the vertical part that goes into the wing root & the vertical part than goes into the oleo strut. It acts as a torsion bar & is very sturdy yet it has flex built in for torsional shock absorbsion.

Once you add full sheeting on the wings, wing flliets, some depth for realism on the front cowl openings, roll bar, pilot figures, flaps, etc as well as a painted 21st Century or Solartex fabric covering for realism, the weight will be approaching 14-16#, maybe a bit more.

A Saito 150 will be a good power source, a 180 will really make it pull good vertical.

I have been thinking about getting the AC cowl W/the exhaust pipes to add to my DF PT-19.

I'm actually considering selling the kit I bought in 1998 for the wing rebuild & getting the Aviation Concepts PT-19.

I have a high compression Saito FA180HC CDI BBC engine that makes 3 1/2 HP on 15% Cool Power methanol fuel. It turns the specified 18 X 8 prop @ 8450 RPM & makes over 20# of thrust. It should be able to fly the 19# AC PT-19 quite easily.

...I'm actually considering selling the kit I bought in 1998 for the wing rebuild & getting the Aviation Concepts PT-19...

I haven't heard one bad oppinion of those guys. The only reason I didn't get it was because my build/flying level is not at a level high enough yet. The price point of the DF kit was better suited "for me".

I haven't heard one bad oppinion of those guys. The only reason I didn't get it was because my build/flying level is not at a level high enough yet. The price point of the DF kit was better suited "for me".

I talked to them on the phone. The "short kit" is $700, add $160ish for Robostruts, $300 for wood (sticks & sheeting), another $50 for hardware & you will have over $1200 in a "KIT".

Now you have to buy covering so figure $1300 & a ton of work for a completed airframe not including servos, Rx, engine, etc.. Over $2000 before you are done.

A little too rich for my blood.

It's a nice plane W/some nice details, but for that kind of $$$$ you could do a LOT W/the DF PT-19.

I had about $1500 all up & flying in my Dynaflite PT-19.

I have some really nice pillots & a lot of details. Looks like I need to continue on as I had planned.

I thought of all that too. I wish I could have their plane but at this moment is not what I should do.
I'm still building up my skills both flying and building.
I think the dynaflite kit is right for me at this moment.
I looked at all the ARFs and just couldn't get one of those. I want something "mine".